Study one, two, or three languages at St Andrews
The School of Modern Languages offers undergraduate degrees in eight languages - Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Persian, Russian, and Spanish - as well as a cross-disciplinary programme in Comparative Literature.
You can choose to study two or three languages together. Alternatively, you can combine one or two languages with Comparative Literature.
Most languages can also be studied as single-subject honours degrees (Arabic, Chinese, and Persian are available as joint honours degrees only).
Whether you study one, two, or three languages, the acquisition of high-level language skills goes hand-in-hand with studying culture - developing intercultural awareness and openness to new perspectives
Languages study options
Triple-languages
Most of the School of Modern Languages' eight languages can be studied together as a triple-languages honours degree.
- Subject to agreement, you can choose the three languages that best reflect your academic interests and professional goals. (Chinese is available with French and Spanish only)
- You can also combine two languages with Comparative Literature.
- Triple-languages degrees give you the broadest scope to develop your linguistic proficiency.
- Triple-languages degrees will be of particular value if you are looking to enter a career where the ability to work in multiple languages is essential.
Double-languages
All of the School of Modern Languages' eight languages can be studied together as a double-languages honours degree.
- Double-languages degrees allow you to combine two related languages like French and Italian or two unrelated languages like Arabic and Chinese.
- You can also combine a language with Comparative Literature.
- Many double-languages students take one language they have studied previously and combine it with a second language at beginner's level.
Single-subject degrees
French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Comparative Literature can be studied as single-subject honours degrees.
See the subject pages for single honours degree descriptions.
Study abroad options
Whether you study one, two, or three languages, you can broaden your academic experience by spending time abroad as part of your degree.
- Integrated year abroad options allow you to add an additional year working abroad.
- Study abroad placements allow you to study abroad for a semester or a year and these studies count towards your degree.
- If you want to spend time in more than one country, it may be possible to split the integrated year abroad across two countries and/or to combine an integrated year abroad with a study abroad semester.
- Combining your studies with time abroad allows you to develop your linguistic skills, intercultural competence, and self-confidence.
Integrated year abroad degrees and study abroad placements
Maximise your opportunities
Studying another language is not just about learning vocabulary and grammar; it is about learning new ways of seeing the world and connecting with other people.
Studying two or three languages maximises your opportunities to show your ability to interpret, understand, and communicate ideas and information as well as your intercultural confidence.
Other joint-subject degrees
You can study one or two languages with a subject from another school.
Joint honours degrees allow you to combine one or two languages with another subject - including:
- Art History
- English
- Film Studies
- History
- International Relations
- Management
See the subject pages for available joint honours degree combinations.
Is taking two or three languages difficult?
Language study is intensive and taking two or three languages together can be challenging. But double- and triple-languages combinations are a popular choice and many students enjoy the opportunity to broaden their linguistic qualifications.
Combining languages is a uniquely rewarding and enriching way to study.
Structured teaching and supported learning
The School of Modern Languages' structured approach to language teaching is designed to support all students including students taking two or three languages:
- All languages (except French) are open to beginner's level students.
- Core language modules build on each other to expand and develop your language proficiency over the course of your degree with small-group tutorials covering reading and writing, speaking and listening, and translation.
- Students taking a double- or triple-languages honours degrees are required to complete all core modules for each language they are studying; this means they take fewer optional modules than single-subject students.